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Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) 2022
Citation:
Hall, K., E. Silvestri, E. King, J. Cuddeback, J. Falik, J. Griggs, A. Korajkic, M. Magnuson, B. McMinn, H. Mash, S. Reimer, S. Shah, S. Willison, T. Strock, James (Jack) Burn, E. Boring, R. Rosson, J. Chandler, AND Y. Chambers-Velarde. Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) 2022. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-21/320, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) is to identify the analytical methods that will be used in cases when multiple laboratories are called on to analyze environmental samples in support of EPA remediation and recovery efforts following an intentional or accidental homeland security-related contamination incident. The information is intended for use by EPA and EPA-contracted and-subcontracted laboratories, such as the Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) and Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA). It can also be used by other agencies and laboratory networks and as a tool to assist state and local laboratories in planning for and analyzing chemical, biological and/or radiological (CBR) environmental samples and radioactively contaminated outdoor building material samples.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) represents the latest step in an ongoing effort of EPA’s Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) to provide selected analytical methods to laboratories tasked with analyzing environmental samples in support of EPA remediation and recovery efforts following an intentional or accidental homeland security-related contamination incident. The information is intended for use by EPA and EPA-contracted and -subcontracted laboratories; it also can be used by other agencies and laboratory networks and as a tool to assist state and local laboratories in planning for and analyzing chemical, biological and/or radiological (CBR) environmental samples and radioactively contaminated outdoor building material samples. The information also can be found on the Environmental Sampling and Analytical Methods (ESAM) Program website via the Selected Analytical Methods for Environmental Remediation and Recovery (SAM) webpage, which provides a searchable query tool for users to access supporting information regarding selected methods. Although not all of the selected methods have been validated at this time, they are considered to contain the most appropriate currently available techniques, based on expert judgment of the SAM technical work groups. Usability tiers have been assigned to the methods selected for chemical, pathogen and biotoxin analytes to provide an indication of method applicability (i.e., the extent to which the methods have been tested and applied for analysis of the specific analyte and sample type for which they have been selected). Method usability tiers are not assigned to methods that address radiochemistry analytes. Unless a method states applicability to a specific analyte/sample type, it should be assumed that method evaluation is needed, and adjustments may be required to accurately account for variations in analyte/sample type characteristics, environmental samples, analytical interferences and data quality objectives (DQOs). EPA strives to continue development and evaluation of analytical methods and protocols, including optimization of procedures for measuring target analytes or agents in specific sample types, as appropriate. In cases where method procedures are determined to be insufficient for a particular situation, HSRP will continue to provide technical support regarding appropriate actions. HSRP has also compiled information and published documents regarding sample collection, rapid screening/ preliminary identification equipment, and disposal of samples corresponding to the analytes and sample types addressed in this document. This information is available on the SAM Companion Sample Collection Information Documents (SCIDs) webpage and Sample Collection Procedures and Strategies webpage.